Addison's Disease: What It Is And Why It Can Be Fatal

Addison’s disease is a condition of the endocrine and hormonal systems and is quite rare, affecting between one and six in every 100,000 people. Addison’s disease can affect both men and women, as well as people of all ages. The disease occurs when the adrenal glands, which are located on top of the kidney, begin producing less and less of cortisol, a necessary and crucial hormone. In some cases of Addison’s disease, the adrenal glands also stop producing another hormone called aldosterone.

The reasons for why Addison’s disease occurs are not limited to one factor and include such things as having an autoimmune disease that attacks the adrenal glands, being diagnosed with cancer, infection, or having the adrenal glands removed during surgery. There are also different types of Addison’s disease, with Type 1 being prevalent in young children and Type 2 being common amongst young adults.

The symptoms experienced by those with Addison’s disease include weight loss, muscle weakness, low blood pressure, nausea, vomiting and fatigue. Another characteristic of Addison’s disease includes the changes in the pigmentation of the skin. The skin will begin to darken in certain areas of the body, which is a telltale sign that doctor’s look for. In the early stages of Addison’s disease, it can be quite difficult to diagnose, especially because the symptoms can be attributed to something else.

Addison’s disease was once fatal and a debilitating disorder for the lives of many children and adults. With the proper diagnosis and treatment however, patients are able to treat the disease and lead normal, healthy lives. Without treatment however, the lack of cortisol in the body can cause brain impairments, as well as cause the body’s organs to shut down. This is because the deterioration of the tissues in the adrenal glands produce hormonal steroids that are critical and necessary for our body’s functions. Without them, the body could not survive.

Once diagnosed, Addison’s disease is treated with a variety of hormones that replace the cortisol and aldosterone. Although the hormones will need to be taken and managed for life, they make it possible to live with this disease that was once fatal to many individuals.

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Risks of Drinking Alcohol during Pregnancy

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy is not advisable. When you consume alcohol it gets passed on through the placenta to the baby. Since the baby is not fully developed its body will process the alcohol extremely slowly and will lead to high blood alcohol levels in the unborn child for a longer period of time.

Often mothers who consume alcohol while they are pregnant lead to bearing children that may have the following problems.

- Children maybe born with low birth weight
- Children may have vision problems and hearing disorders
- Children may have slow physical, mental and emotional development
- Children may suffer from mood disorders
- Children may suffer from curvature or dislocation of the spine
- Children may suffer from heart defects
- Children may be born with missing toes or fingers
- Children may be prone to brain damage and abnormalities
- Children maybe at the risk of being nearsighted
- Children may be born with learning disabilities
- Children may encounter poor coordination and be irritable
- Children may face deformities to the ear, genital organs and other internal organs
- Children may also be born with kidney defects and urinary tract defects

Fetal alcohol syndrome is one of the defects that can also be caused due to consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. Children who are born with fetal alcohol syndrome are born relatively small as compared to other kids and their development as they grow older both mentally and physically is extremely slow. Certain physical defects may include abnormally small eyes and an upturned nose.

Children who suffer from fetal alcohol syndrome are known to have serious heart conditions as they grow older as the syndrome affects internal organs as well. Most kids who are born with this syndrome have a small brain, and suffer from developmental and behavioral issues. They are known to have a short attention span and have difficultly comprehending even the simplest of things.

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can be extremely fatal for the baby’s health. If you have just found out that you are pregnant, it is imperative that you stop consuming alcohol immediately.

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Tips for Healthy Teeth

Teeth are the hard, white, bone-like structures within the mouth that enable biting and chewing. The white portion is called the crown. The pinkish fleshy part in which the teeth are embedded is called the gums. The crown is covered by enamel that is the hardest part in the entire body. Your enamel is going to stay on for decades even after you die.

Smile is a curve that straightens out many things. A pleasant smile is unthinkable without healthy teeth. You would not be able to eat or talk properly with unhealthy teeth.

Unhealthy teeth tend to decay and result in bad breath that could put you in embarrassing situations socially, personally and professionally. So it is essential to ensure that you have healthy teeth.

Deposits of plaque are formed on the teeth after eating and drinking. The plaque breeds bacteria that corrode the enamel on the teeth leading to formation of cavities.

Given below are a few tips that might help you have healthy teeth:

1. Brushing the teeth at least twice a day with a proper toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste is elementary dental hygiene.

2. The teeth should be brushed in a proper manner with appropriate back and forth movements and up and down motions. Consult a dentist to know the proper method of brushing teeth so that you do not confine yourself to brushing the front teeth while ignoring the ones at the sides and back.

3. Be watchful of your diet. Never take too much soda and sweets. Sugar in the sweet is broken down to acids by bacteria and corrodes the enamel.

4. Clean your tongue along with brushing the teeth.

5. You may use an antibacterial mouth rinse after consulting your dentist.

6. Use a toothbrush that has soft bristles. Change the toothbrush if the bristles are frayed.

7. Do not consume excess of coffee, tea or alcohol.

8. Add salt to slightly warm water and gargle once daily to drive away any food particles that have got stuck in your teeth.

Having healthy teeth is very important to having a great smile and an attractive personality. A little care will go a long way in ensuring the health of your teeth while saving you lots of dollars on dental consultations, medications or surgery.

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What is a Blood Disorder?

The term ‘blood disorder’ refers to problems with components of the blood or blood vessels and covers a wide variety of complications including hemophilia and anemia. Most blood disorders require lifelong treatment without which serious problems could arise. With treatment, most patients can expect to live hale and hearty lives albeit punctuated with frequent visits to the doctor. Listed below are 3 common forms of blood disorders.

Hemophilia

Hemophilia is a genetically inherited blood disorder that affects men and causes them to bleed uncontrollably. It is caused by a lack of clotting agents in the blood and can be fatal if left untreated. Thankfully modern technology has allowed for the use of genetically engineered clotting agents that promote the blood clotting process and suppress excess bleeding. This allows hemophiliacs to enjoy healthy and happy lives without any worries.

Anemia

Anemia is an extremely common blood disorder that occurs when the oxygen carrying capacity of the red blood cells is compromised by a low amount of hemoglobin, an important component of red blood cells that is responsible for the transfer of oxygen to cells. Anemia prevents adequate oxygen from reaching the body’s cells and this leads to weariness and exhaustion as the cells suffer from oxygen starvation. Anemia is best treated by the consumption of iron-rich foods including green leafy vegetables as well as the use of iron supplements. Though anemia is not predominantly life-threatening it does compromise one’s quality of life and so stringent measures have to be taken to control it.

Sickle Cell Anemia

There are many different forms of anemia and sickle-cell anemia is one such example. In this disorder the red blood cells are shaped like sickles and hence less efficient at carrying oxygen to the cells. This results in weariness, shortness of breath, headaches and even chest pains. Unfortunately sickle-cell anemia does not have a complete cure; rather doctors focus on treating any painful symptoms associated with the disorder. Patients who suffer from sickle-cell anemia need regular medical care so that they can continue to live healthy lives.

Blood disorders range from treatable to extremely dangerous and each and every one should be given devoted medical attention to avoid complications. Despite this, one can easily overcome the difficulties by being informed and prepared.

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